After learning about the intense shortages of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, Neil Deshmukh '20 began 3D-printing personal protective equipment parts to help local medical personnel using our Upper School’s 3D printers.

Neil was inspired to begin this effort after hearing about the personal protective equipment shortage firsthand from his family members and friends who are medical professionals at local hospitals.

“Currently, my printer setup can produce more than a total of 15 prints of personal protective equipment per day. I hope to increase this number in the coming days so that my weekly donations help greater amounts of people,” said Neil. “I'm printing all the material at my house, but my school, Moravian Academy, worked to lend me their 3D printers to do so. Mrs. Arnold and Mr. Deal from my school helped me get all the resources together, like the 3D printers and filament from campus, so I truly would not have been able to undertake this project without their continued support and assistance.”

Neil's efforts were highlighted by Penn State Lehigh Valley this week, as he is one of university's Lehigh Valley LaunchBox grant recipients. Lehigh Valley LaunchBox is an early-stage business accelerator program for entrepreneurs. As a signature program of Invent Penn State, Lehigh Valley LaunchBox partners with a network of community and University partners to offer continuing support to small business owners and guides them through every step of their startup journey. Neil received the grant earlier this year for his app, PlantumAI, which helps detect, diagnose and educate about treatment options for plant diseases and to assist under-resourced farmers.